CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In a game in which neither team made even one-third of its shots, it seemed right the deciding free throws would be followed by a few more misses.

Brandon Paul made two free throws that gave Illinois the lead with 45 seconds to play, then missed the front end of two one-and-ones in the Illini's 42-41 victory over No. 9 Michigan State on Tuesday.

The shooting — 32.6 percent from the field for Illinois and 24.1 percent for Michigan State — was so bad players suggested the ball might have had too much air in it.

"Someone brought it up to the refs, I think one of the coaches," Paul said. "I'm not trying to make excuses. I missed those free throws. I shouldn't be missing those shots."

Illinois (16-6 overall, 5-4 Big Ten Conference) ended a three-game losing streak.

The loss cost the Spartans (17-5, 6-3) a chance to move into first place in the Big Ten with No. 3 Ohio State.

Michigan State's Draymond Green suffered what appeared to be a left-knee injury with less than four minutes to play and didn't return.

It was a rugged contest and Illini coach Bruce Weber said, "This was WWF or whatever the heck it is. It was just a very physical game."

Other Top 10 men

At No. 1 Kentucky 69, Tennessee 44

Freshman Anthony Davis had 18 points, eight rebounds and seven blocks as the Wildcats (22-1, 8-0 Southeastern) cruised past the Volunteers (10-12, 2-5).

Kentucky made its first 11 shots and extended its home winning streak to 48, the longest in the nation.

No. 5 North Carolina 68,

at Wake Forest 53

Tyler Zeller collected 18 points and a career-best 18 rebounds to lead the Tar Heels (19-3, 6-1 Atlantic Coast) past the Demon Deacons (11-11, 2-6).

John Henson had 14 points and 12 rebounds for North Carolina, which won despite shooting 31 percent.

Top 5 women

No. 2 Notre Dame 71,

at No. 13 Rutgers 41

Skylar Diggins scored 18 points to help the Fighting Irish (22-1, 9-0 Big East) beat the Scarlet Knights (17-5, 6-3) and extend their winning streak to 19.

Pac-12 women

At USC 50, UC Santa Barbara 39

Cassie Harberts scored 17 points on 6-for-10 shooting as the Women of Troy (11-9) beat the Gauchos (8-12).

Note

• An affidavit filed in a slander suit against Syracuse and men's coach Jim Boeheim says the wife of fired assistant coach Bernie Fine had sex with players, and several people associated with the program knew about it, including Fine.

In the affidavit, Bobby Davis, a former Syracuse ball boy, says he was present on several occasions with players when he heard them speaking of having sex with Laurie Fine. A lawyer for Laurie Fine, Edward Z. Menkin, said the accusations were "disgusting."

After Davis and his stepbrother, Mike Lang, accused Bernie Fine of molesting them when they were boys, Boeheim emphatically defended his longtime friend and assistant coach. Boeheim apologized for negative comments about Davis and Lang after a third accuser surfaced at the end of November.